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Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) Q3 2026 Earnings Report
ABCB Q3 2026 EPS Results
- Actual EPS
- $1.73
- Consensus EPS
- $1.68
- Beat/Miss
- Beat by +$0.05
- One Year Ago EPS
- $1.53
ABCB Q3 2026 Revenue Results
- Actual Revenue
- $431.63M
- Expected Revenue
- $326.72M
- Beat/Miss
- Beat by +$104.91M
- YoY Revenue Growth
- +2.91%
Earnings Announcement Details
- Quarter
- Q3 2026
- Date
- 10/22/2026
- Time
- After Close
- Conference Call
- Thursday, October 22, 2026
Ameris Bancorp's next earnings date is estimated for January 28, 2027, based on past reporting schedules.
Q3 2026 Earnings Call Audio
Q3 2026 Earnings Slide Deck
Q3 2026 Earnings Call Summary
The call was strongly positive overall. Ameris reported record five-year EPS, solid profitability, continued mid-single-digit growth, an improved efficiency ratio, strong capital and reserve levels, and asset quality that management described as well above peer. The main challenges were mortgage production and revenue declines, deposit competition, possible margin compression, elevated CRE payoffs, and some normalization in credit metrics, but management characterized these issues as manageable and maintained a disciplined outlook for profitable growth.
Ameris projected loan and deposit growth in the mid-single digit range near term, with longer term deposit growth serving as the governor of loan growth, and said it expects net charge-offs in that 20-25 basis point range near term. The company anticipates ending the year around that 50% ratio for adjusted efficiency, while 2027 core expenses were described as probably somewhere in the $165 million to $169 million a quarter for the year; mortgage revenue is anticipated to be pretty consistent, maybe even down a little next year. Management said net interest income will continue to grow through earning asset growth, although some margin compression is possible over the next few quarters due to higher deposit costs and competition, with the margin expected to bump around a few basis points up and down for a few quarters.
- Five-Year Record EPS and Strong Quarterly ProfitabilityThird-quarter net income was $116.1 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, representing a five-year record high EPS. Return on assets was 1.61%, PPNROA was 2.27%, and return on tangible common equity was 15.01%.
- Organic Growth in Earning Assets and DepositsAverage earning assets grew approximately 5% annualized, while deposits grew 6% annualized. Average earning assets increased $300.5 million, or 4.5% annualized, and total deposits increased $319.4 million during the quarter.
- Margin Maintained Above 3.8%Net interest margin was 387 basis points, only one basis point below 388 basis points in the prior quarter. Management said the bank protected its above-average margin while achieving mid-single-digit growth.
- Improved Efficiency Ratio and Operating LeverageThe adjusted efficiency ratio improved to 49.15% from 50.42% in the prior quarter, supported by increased revenue and decreased expenses. The year-to-date adjusted efficiency ratio was 49.84%, and management expects to end the year around the 50% ratio.
- Net Interest Income GrowthNet interest income increased $5.2 million to $257.7 million in the third quarter. Management expects net interest income to continue growing through earning-asset growth.
- Healthy Loan Production and Diversified GrowthLoan production was $2.3 billion in the quarter, consistent with the prior quarter and described as remaining at a very healthy level. Growth was diversified across C&I, residential mortgage, construction, premium finance, and other categories, with some production expected to fund in future quarters.
- Strong Core Deposit FranchiseManagement emphasized its focus on core deposits and relationship banking. Nearly 30% of funding came from non-interest-bearing accounts, 48% of accounts were checking accounts including non-interest-bearing and NOW accounts, and the non-interest-bearing mix was 29.2% at quarter-end.
- Strong Capital and Tangible Book Value GrowthCommon Equity Tier 1 capital was over 13%, total risk-based capital increased to 15%, and the tangible common equity ratio increased to 11.14%. Tangible book value per share grew to $45.65; reported tangible book value per share grew 5% during the quarter, or more than 14% excluding AOCI.
- New $200 Million Share Repurchase AuthorizationThe board approved another $200 million share repurchase authorization. Management said buybacks would remain an opportunistic use of capital after organic growth.
- Strong Asset Quality Relative to PeersNon-performing assets and net charge-offs remained at low levels. Annualized net charge-offs improved to 19 basis points, and management reiterated near-term net charge-off guidance of 20-25 basis points. The criticized ratio was 115 basis points, described as less than half the midpoint for the peer group.
- Robust Reserve CoverageManagement reported reserve coverage of 162% of total loans, representing 315% of portfolio non-performing assets. The reserve was described as a strength of the balance sheet.
- Equipment Finance Performing as ExpectedThe Balboa equipment finance business was reported to be performing as desired after the credit box was retooled several years ago.
- Healthy Loan Pipeline and No Current FalloutThe loan pipeline was higher at the end of the third quarter than at the end of the second quarter, remained full, and management said it was not seeing fallout from existing opportunities.
- Capacity to Absorb Gradual Rate IncreasesManagement said customers, particularly in the C&I portfolio, had capacity to absorb gradual 25-basis-point and 50-basis-point rate increases based on deal equity, cash levels, and debt-service coverage under stress scenarios.
- Mortgage Purchase Mix Remains StrongThe mortgage purchase mix remained above 90% purchase versus refinance. Management said limited inventory and high-growth markets continued to provide opportunity, and that a pullback in the ten-year yield could be helpful to mortgage volume.
- Stable Team Supports Growth ObjectivesManagement said the existing team was sufficient to achieve mid-single-digit growth objectives and that the company did not need excessive hiring. The bank maintained a net-zero hiring approach while continuing to upskill employees and selectively seek talent.
- Nashville Team Building RelationshipsThe recently added Nashville team was described as building relationships, leading with deposits, and contributing funding that supports loan growth. Management said the measured growth was encouraging and could become a more meaningful part of operations.
- Room to Add to the Bond PortfolioThe bond portfolio represented approximately 10% of earning assets, and management said there was room to add securities if deposit growth exceeded loan growth.
- Asset Sensitivity Provides Some Rate BenefitManagement said the balance sheet was slightly asset sensitive, with each 25-basis-point rate hike modeled to contribute approximately one basis point of margin. A steeper curve and higher Federal Reserve rates were also described as supportive of the balance sheet.
ABCB Earnings History
| Report Date | Fiscal Quarter | Forecast / EPS | Last Year's EPS | EPS YoY Change | Press Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28, 2027 | 2026 (Q4) | 1.69- | 1.59 | ― | ― |
| Oct 22, 2026 | 2026 (Q3) | 1.681.73 | 1.53 | 13.07% (+0.20) | |
| Jul 23, 2026 | 2026 (Q2) | 1.661.60 | 1.59 | 0.63% (+0.01) | |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 2026 (Q1) | 1.551.63 | 1.28 | 27.34% (+0.35) | |
| Jan 29, 2026 | 2025 (Q4) | 1.581.59 | 1.38 | 15.22% (+0.21) | |
| Oct 27, 2025 | 2025 (Q3) | 1.471.53 | 1.38 | 10.87% (+0.15) | |
| Jul 28, 2025 | 2025 (Q2) | 1.331.59 | 1.17 | 35.90% (+0.42) | |
| Apr 28, 2025 | 2025 (Q1) | 1.141.28 | 1.1 | 16.36% (+0.18) | |
| Jan 30, 2025 | 2024 (Q4) | 1.191.38 | 1.07 | 28.97% (+0.31) | |
| Oct 24, 2024 | 2024 (Q3) | 1.251.38 | 1.16 | 18.97% (+0.22) |
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
